From the Daily Telegraph:

'Traffic police are being awarded points that vary in accordance with who they manage to pull over. Thames Valley police has given its 120 traffic officers "aide-memoire cards" which carry a chart awarding different points for catching different offenders. Their monthly target is 200 points. Under the system, officers get 10 points for stopping a drink-driver - the same number awarded for arresting a rapist...Thames Valley police insisted yesterday that the purpose of the scheme was to assist officers in setting priorities. It has been criticised because catching a motorist not wearing a seat belt is worth five points, yet arresting a rape or assault suspect is only worth another five. Sources within the force said it risked "trivialising" police work and could result in officers concentrating on lesser, easier-to-detect crimes in order to reach the target.'

Posted by melanie at April 13, 2005